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Since pop star Katy Perry returned to Earth earlier this week, the number of memes referencing her brief trip to space has skyrocketed.
After weighing in with jokes of its own, American fast-food chain Wendy's has clarified that its now-viral tweets weren't meant to cause offense.
Following criticism from followers, the company put out a statement this week saying it had no ill-will for Perry.
"We always bring a little spice to our socials, but Wendy's has a ton of respect for Katy Perry and her out-of-this-world-talent," it said.
The star-studded, all-female crew on Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin rocket took off in Texas on Monday and flew for 11 minutes in total. Perry was joined by five other women, including journalist Gayle King and Jeff Bezos' partner Lauren Sanchez.
But the "Fireworks" singer's reactions captivated the internet more than others'. After landing, she kissed the ground, saying she felt "so connected to love".
King revealed that Perry sang Louis Armstrong's "What a Wonderful World" while in space.
Memes and comments began to flood social media platforms, including Wendy's series of posts on its official X account when she landed: "When we said women in stem this isn't what we meant" and "Can we send her back".
While the space flight was meant to celebrate women, the crew has faced some criticism. The backlash ranged from the environmental impact of the flight to looming cuts for actual Nasa employees.
Other celebrities also offered their two cents.
"I think it's a bit gluttonous," actress Olivia Munn said in an appearance on TODAY. "Space exploration was to further our knowledge and to help mankind. What are they going to do up there that is going to help us down here?"
Model and activist Emily Ratajkowski said on TikTok that the flight was "beyond parody".
"Look at the state of the world and think about how many resources went into putting these women into space," she said. "For what?"
But not all reactions were negative. TV reality star Khloe Kardashian, watching from the viewing platform, said "Whatever you dream of is in our reach, especially in today's day and age."
Oprah Winfrey, a close friend of King, also watched the launch in-person. She was seen tearing up as the craft landed.
"I've never been more proud of my friend than today," she said.
King countered some of the negative comments, saying she believes the flight inspired young women who want to be astronauts.
"I feel that anybody who is criticising doesn't really understand what's happening here," she said.
English (US) ·